Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Randolph-Macon College

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008

1. Randolph-Macon College Marker

Inscription. Chartered in 1830 in Boydton, this institution is the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in continuous operation in the United States. It is named for statesmen John Randolph of Virginia and Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina. The college was moved to Ashland in 1868 due to post-Civil War financial difficulties. Chi Beta Phi, a national honorary science fraternity, was founded here in 1916. In the 1890s, the college’s administration founded Randolph-Macon Academy (Front Royal) and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (Lynchburg). The Ashland campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1979.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number I-10b.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 37° 45.513′ N, 77° 28.076′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of England Street (Virginia Route 54) and Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling west on England Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland VA 23005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Ashland (approx. ¼ mile away); Henry at Hanover Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Randolph-Macon College (approx. ¼ mile away); All Eyes on the Track - Engineers and Signals (approx. 0.3 miles away); Precision Braking, Higher Speeds... (approx. 0.3 miles away); Janney Coupler Improves Safety for Railroad Workers (approx. half a mile away); Jackson's March to Mechanicsville (approx. 0.6 miles away); Electric Train Generates Electricity for Ashland (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

Also see . . . Excerpts from Randolph-Macon College: A Southern History 1825-1967. by James Scanlon. “The directors of the [Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad] decided that the college’s presence would increase the population in Ashland, increase the property values of the town, and increase fares. Therefore, the company offered Randolph-Macon a number of inducements. First, it would move, free of charge, the library, apparatus, professors, and officers from Richmond to Ashland. Second, during the maintenance of the college in Ashland, food supplies would be carried free on freight trains (but not on mail or passenger trains) from Richmond’s Bailey Market to Ashland. Third, the company would convey 19½

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008

2. Randolph-Macon College Marker

acres of the race-course track upon erection of permanent buildings. (This land lies about half a mile south of the present campus.) Fourth, there were various arrangements for free or discounted passes for officers, professors, families, and trustees.” (Submitted on June 7, 2008.)

Additional keywords. Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,228 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the college campus • Can you help?